Ron Haslam race school
Discussion
Listen carefully, ask any questions you want to ask (you won't be ridiculed), say if you don't understand, ride at your pace not the next guy's, have fun.
Ron Haslam schools are probably the best out there for a first timer; such a nice guy and everyone who works with him has the same attitude.
Ron Haslam schools are probably the best out there for a first timer; such a nice guy and everyone who works with him has the same attitude.
My son and I did it last year. Although I'm quite an experienced rider I'd never done a track day. It's the best fun you can have with your cloths on and you can go as fast or as slow as you want as the instructor will soon get the measure of your ability. Its a brilliant intro into track riding as you basically follow the lines of the instructor so all you have to think about is throttle control, braking and cornering he picks the best lines.
The only thing I took was ear plugs as that's all I have! and why would you use your own stuff ....god forbid should come off. My lad who has everything used his own gloves and helmet. They supply the rest.
They supply water in between sessions and there is a restaurant that you can use throughout the day.
Although I'm a bit of an ald boy I'd like to think I have a good level of fitness however I was physically and mentally knackered after the morning and was a bit achey the next day.
I would be amazed if anyone who is into bikes doesn't have the best day ever and I can see how many bin their road bike off and only do track days.
Hope this helps
The only thing I took was ear plugs as that's all I have! and why would you use your own stuff ....god forbid should come off. My lad who has everything used his own gloves and helmet. They supply the rest.
They supply water in between sessions and there is a restaurant that you can use throughout the day.
Although I'm a bit of an ald boy I'd like to think I have a good level of fitness however I was physically and mentally knackered after the morning and was a bit achey the next day.
I would be amazed if anyone who is into bikes doesn't have the best day ever and I can see how many bin their road bike off and only do track days.
Hope this helps
Did this a few years ago, having done a trackday on my brad new Hayabusa, and realised I knew nothing.
Had a great time, and learned a lot, immensely impressed with the whole shebang, instructors, the bikes, the track...finished the day buzzing, and staring down the barrel of a drive to Brussels, which is a long way from Donnington !
Had a great time, and learned a lot, immensely impressed with the whole shebang, instructors, the bikes, the track...finished the day buzzing, and staring down the barrel of a drive to Brussels, which is a long way from Donnington !
I know there’s lots of love for the Ron Haslam Race School and I did quite enjoy my visit. But, ultimately, I was a little disappointed.
There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
mikedxb said:
I know there’s lots of love for the Ron Haslam Race School and I did quite enjoy my visit. But, ultimately, I was a little disappointed.
There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
Did you complain? How did they pair you up? Through comparing experiences or just throw you together?There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
I’m pretty experienced BUT was thinking of trying one of these out. Granted you have to ride those 650 things before going into the course I would rather do and in all honesty I’m concerned that my experience would mirror yours.
mikedxb said:
I know there’s lots of love for the Ron Haslam Race School and I did quite enjoy my visit. But, ultimately, I was a little disappointed.
There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
They must have changed things since I went a year or two ago.There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
I did it on the 600RRs and everyone was 1:1 with an instructor.
I think it depends which course you book, we're booked on the premier I think which is two students per instructor.
https://www.haslamraceschool.com/premier
Thanks for the responses so far, I will update with my own experience in a couple of weeks.
https://www.haslamraceschool.com/premier
Thanks for the responses so far, I will update with my own experience in a couple of weeks.
mikedxb said:
I know there’s lots of love for the Ron Haslam Race School and I did quite enjoy my visit. But, ultimately, I was a little disappointed.
There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
I slightly concur with this. A mate and I won a competition on Facebook to go. I was instructing CBTs at the time in central London, my mate is a Formula 400 club race winner and had a roadgoing WSBK spec ZX-7R. He's quite quick... I'm not.There were three sessions, and the first session was a virtual waste of time as the student I was paired with was very slow. No need to flame me for saying this – I’m not a quick rider (that’s why I went to the school) and I mean no disrespect the other student; but the pace was just too slow to be fun / interesting / useful for me.
And I had four different instructors over the three sessions, so I felt there was no continuity in the training being provided.
We were paired together, as most of the rest of the customers knew each other. They also had a "1 drop, end of day rule". The weather was appalling, standing water around much of the track. One guy had driven down from Aberdeen and bust his collarbone on the first lap...
Due to the number of crashers it very quickly became 1 to 1 instruction. My pal had an issue with his bike, which they didn't believe. He got another one after someone else stacked it in a corresponding session. It seemed quite expensive for the amount of track time you get. The instructors were good.
We both had good fun, and I as a slow rider got a bit out of it. But it is only half a day, and we didn't have to pay for it. The best idea, I think, might be to go with a pal of similar pace.
Someone I know had a similar experience regarding the pairing up - though both were new to the track the person he was out with wasnt as capable and as a result it did mean him riding slower than he wanted with the instructor spending more time making sure they were all kept together / safe - on one of the later laps the slower guy ran on the brakes and nearly made a bit of an 'event' in a corner.
He still enjoyed it, said the bikes and instruction was good and it was a great way to get out on the track for the first time but from that I would say try and get out with someone on a similar level as you / ask to change if things dont work out after the first session - its quite expensive and you want to come away feeling more confident / like you have learned something.
He still enjoyed it, said the bikes and instruction was good and it was a great way to get out on the track for the first time but from that I would say try and get out with someone on a similar level as you / ask to change if things dont work out after the first session - its quite expensive and you want to come away feeling more confident / like you have learned something.
I went last year and absolutely loved it.
Never done a track day before and am not afraid to admit that I was shaking a tad when I left the pits for the first time.
I told them up front that I was a newbie and they paired me with someone they considered to be at the same level.
First lap the is a sighting lap for yourself and for the instructor to check out your riding capabilities.
I was very surprised(In a good way) how we were encouraged to push on by the instructor.
Great,brilliant day and would do it again in a heart beat.
Never done a track day before and am not afraid to admit that I was shaking a tad when I left the pits for the first time.
I told them up front that I was a newbie and they paired me with someone they considered to be at the same level.
First lap the is a sighting lap for yourself and for the instructor to check out your riding capabilities.
I was very surprised(In a good way) how we were encouraged to push on by the instructor.
Great,brilliant day and would do it again in a heart beat.
Just got back.
Had a really good time, three fifteen minute sessions. The first to just get used to the bike and riding on track, the second gained a bit of pace and started moving body weight around on the bike a bit and the third just to make it all a bit quicker and smoother again.
The morning went very quickly and the sessions were over all too soon.
Unfortunately, it was very wet this morning so speed was limited by that as well as my inexperience. Was paired with my mate who wasn't keen to try and push the pace much quicker than we were but, still found the limit of the grip on one corner exit by getting a little slide on the rear.
All in all, it's a slick operation and a really enjoyable introduction to track riding, needs better signposting though as it wasn't obvious where to go once at the circuit.
Had a really good time, three fifteen minute sessions. The first to just get used to the bike and riding on track, the second gained a bit of pace and started moving body weight around on the bike a bit and the third just to make it all a bit quicker and smoother again.
The morning went very quickly and the sessions were over all too soon.
Unfortunately, it was very wet this morning so speed was limited by that as well as my inexperience. Was paired with my mate who wasn't keen to try and push the pace much quicker than we were but, still found the limit of the grip on one corner exit by getting a little slide on the rear.
All in all, it's a slick operation and a really enjoyable introduction to track riding, needs better signposting though as it wasn't obvious where to go once at the circuit.
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